[November
21, 2012]CHICAGO -- Attorney General Lisa
Madigan has released her annual Safe Shopping Guide, detailing
recalled products in order to warn parents about potentially
dangerous toys and household items in their homes and to help
Illinois families create a safe environment for the holidays.

Madigan's Safe Shopping Guide features toys and other products that
were recalled over the past year and could potentially pose a danger
to children, such as toys covered in lead paint, baby dolls that
pose a choking hazard, and defective highchairs and strollers.

In
addition, this year's guide features a new section on food safety,
in light of the growing number of food recalls every year and the
increasing number of children and adults who are diagnosed with food
allergies. The guide identifies common causes for food recalls,
whether due to contamination or allergens, and outlines the
important steps families can take to ensure the meals at their
holiday celebrations are safe to eat.

"Whether you're buying gifts or groceries, this guide is designed
to provide an easy-to-use resource to ensure everyone enjoys a happy
and safe holiday season," Madigan said.

Madigan urged consumers to review her guide and use it as a
resource during this holiday shopping season. The guide can be
particularly important for consumers purchasing items secondhand at
garage sales or online, due to the possibility that secondhand
sellers may not be up-to-date on items that have been recalled.

The Safe Shopping Guide is part of Madigan's ongoing effort to
ensure a safe environment for children by educating families on
recalled or otherwise dangerous items in their homes. As attorney
general, Madigan has worked with the Illinois Retail Merchants
Association and retailers around the state to ensure dangerous
products are removed from store shelves and has partnered with the
Illinois Hospital Association, the Illinois State Medical Society
and pediatricians to help spread information to parents about
potentially dangerous products they should remove from their homes.